#and just thinks his mind is playing tricks on him

[cheapshrimpysheep]

What if They were Dads?

SUMMARY: Headcanons of what I think they would be like as fathers to your child. And what if his dormmates were like honorary uncles to the child?

CHARACTERS: OB Students (Riddle Rosehearts / Leona Kingscholar / Azul Ashengrotto / Jamil Viper / Vil Schoenheit / Idia Shroud / Malleus Draconia)

TAGS: Headcanon; Fem!Reader (AFAB) (I never really know what tags to use but I hope you know what I mean)

WORD COUNT: An average of 690 words per character.

COMMENTS: I would have liked to have made a headcanon about the relationship with the boys' parents and siblings, but since we don't know them that well or at all on the Eng Server like Vil's father, I think I'll leave that for a possible post that complements this one. If you want.

Since I didn't want each character to have a big chunk of text, I put them as paragraphs instead of bullet points.

I hope you enjoy 🩵

CONTEXT: This was written with a cisgender female reader in mind. Reader is Yuu. But if you want (and can) read it in any other way, feel free to.

By the way, this is one of those moments when I wish English had a second person plural, instead of the singular and plural being the same. Whenever I write “your child” I mean it in the plural (you, the reader, and his)

Riddle’s child(ren) call him: Father

Riddle has the same demands and standards for his child that he has for himself. But he doesn't want to make the same mistakes as his mother, so in comparison he can be more permissive. Because of this he will ALWAYS listen to you if you tell him he is being too harsh.

In terms of studies, etiquette and behaviour he is quite strict as you would expect. But when it comes to play he lets his child do almost anything they want.

He doesn't know how to play with his child, but he will always make an effort to learn how to and do it with them. He almost seems to regress to the childhood he never had and wants to give to his child. Whenever the child learns a new game, they will show it and teach it to Riddle and he will be delighted with it.

Although he is strict, he is also relatively protective, especially if your child is a girl. He tries not to be overly protective, but he can't help but worry about your child. If there was a right way to raise a child, is he doing his job well enough? You will have several conversations at first to reassure him that he is doing a good job.

He will study any and all parenting books that experts in child behaviour and education recommend. This kind of knowledge is never too much. Which often leads you to try to convince him to relax and just trust his instincts and what he feels is right. The child is his, not all those authors and experts. Sometimes there are things that a parent simply knows.

Lawful and calm Uncle Trey. They love uncle Trey's sweets! Sometimes Riddle asks him if he's not giving them too much sweets and Trey always assures him that it's okay because he knows how to make healthier sweets and the limit for a child to eat. If they weren't already Riddle's child, the whole thing about always brushing their teeth could be scary.

Chaotic Uncle Che'nya. The crazy and fun Uncle! Your child and Che'nya join forces (maybe even with you) to play pranks on Riddle. Never anything that could get the child into trouble with their father, just enough for everyone, Riddle included, to have fun.

Uncle Ace and Uncle Deuce are more from your side than Riddle's honestly. Ace is a bit like Che'nya in the case of being one of the chaotic pranksters uncles. But he is also the uncle of magic tricks who is always deceiving, but also entertaining your child with them.

Deuce is the rad uncle with a cool moto and/or even cooler blastcycle, who offers to take your child for a ride in it with him. Your child also finds it funny to see the two of them arguing amicably. But it’s even funnier to see them imitating their father trying to order them to stop arguing.

Uncle Cater doesn't show up very often, but they like him. He's not chaotic like Ace and Che'nya, but he's also fun. Your child enjoys receiving compliments from him and taking pictures with him.

Your child imitates their father scolding Grim too. Just like Riddle (and probably because they're still little) they have a very bad temper. Riddle gets embarrassed whenever you say that someone takes after their father.

Leona’s child(ren) call him: Dad

Leona still doesn't like kids... your child(ren) is/are just an exception.

Yes, Leona would treat a daughter slightly differently than he would treat a son. In the same way that he treats men and women a little differently. But the only difference is that he would be tougher on a son than a daughter, but will still be affectionate regardless.

No matter what gender his child is, he wants the same for them: be strong both physically and mentally. To outsiders like some servants or citizens who don't know him, they may get to the point of thinking Leona is a harsh father who doesn't deserve all that love from his child, and he will tell both you and your child not to mind that. But the truth is that he is just like he was with you at school: a tough guy who hides a caring heart.

Leona continues to show himself to be a person who doesn't want anyone to upset him and who would growl at anyone who bothers him. The only people who can get close to him even when he's angry and remain safe and sound are you and your child. He'll still growl at you and your child quietly, but there will be a volume that is the line, like if his growl is louder than that limit it's because he's getting really angry, until then it's just him being him.

Your child will already have the best private teachers and tutors (one of them being Kifaji/Neji if he’s still alive), but even so, Leona will want to make them study and learn more. But in that discreet way that he knows. He will not force them to study more, he will find a way to convince them to want to learn more on their own.

You end up being the most affectionate parent and the one they trust for emotional comfort. Leona is the tough love, you are the soft love (at least in comparison). Leona will always tease you, insinuating that you are too soft and only spoil your child. Although he enjoys when you spoil him too.

He is 100% the ‘Go ask your mom’ kind of dad.

He lets his child take naps with him. And you too.

If he has more than one child, he will police himself not to favor any of them. He may have a tendency to favor the younger ones because of what he went through as the youngest himself, but none of his children will be treated in any special/different way based on their birth order. Neither the youngest nor the oldest.

He will try to convince his child not to be too close (emotionally) to their uncle or cousin, but won't stop them from playing with Cheka. When your child is old enough not to tell others what is said in your home, Leona and them will talk badly about Falena and Cheka behind their backs.

Leona will prefer your child to play with Ruggie and/or his children. On the one hand, he wants to keep them away from his family, but on the other hand, he also wants his child to know what the real world is like, to see both wealth and poverty, to know royalty as they knows their people and only then create their own judgement.

They don't call anyone uncle or aunt other than Falena and his wife. In the same way, Leona also doesn't give cute titles to anyone without being sarcastically. Even when he calls you “love”, “darling”, “honey” or something like that, it's to tease you.

Whenever you go to Shaftlands, whether for democratic reasons or on holiday, you always try to find a way to meet with Jack. Leona pretends that he only helps you with this because you want to see your friend and he wants to get rid of his family. Both you and Jack know that he just doesn't want to admit that he wants to see him too. Jack is the cool parent's friend who taught your child how to snowboard. While they are little they like to hug his tail because it’s fluffy.

Despite everything, he doesn't want his child to have the same lack of hope that he has, and despite trying to hide it, he always feels extremely guilty and bad whenever your child says something like that. At these times he relies on you to be the ray hope in that house, they will both need you for that.

Both Leona and your child are afraid of you when you get really serious or angry.

Do you know that scene from The Lion King where Mufasa uses Zazu to give Simba an pouncing lesson? Leona often does something similar, but instead of the target being a blue bird, it's a magical creature called Grim.

Azul’s child(ren) call him: Daddy (when little) Dad (when older)

Azul is an extremely emotional father, despite trying to hide it. There's going to be a lot of moments like: “HE/SHE IS THE CUTEST LITTLE THING IN THE WHOLE- *clears throat* I mean, he/she is such a charming little child.” He will most likely cry at your baby's first words, steps, anything.

Azul is overprotective! If any living creature even thinks about harming your child, he will tortu- that is, find a completely legal way to ensure that it never happens again. Now, if you'll excuse him, he suddenly felt like talking to Jade and Floyd. (The same protectiveness applies to you.)

Although he is very (secretly) emotional and loves to spoil his child, he is also relatively strict about their studies. He likes to spoil them (and you) when it's deserved, but he will not raise a spoiled child! This ends up balancing things out a bit.

He will hide the whole mafia-like part of his life from his child. Dad is just doing business, boring adult stuff. Maybe when your child is older he will start to reveal a little of that side of his life, if they later want to join their father it will be their choice. But until then, let them be innocent children, they are cuter and happier that way, there is time for everything.

He will always hold back his emotional side so as not to be overly affectionate. Unless his child starts crying. At that point his mask falls completely and he becomes the most affectionate and comforting father there can be, that is his weakness.

And if one day the child realizes this and starts using crying to get what they want from him, he won't know whether to be angry that he is being emotionally manipulated by his own child, or proud that they learned so quickly.

You will be the only one immune to the fake crying.

From the beginning, Azul has been wary and suspicious of letting Jade and Floyd be like uncles to your child. However, you two ended up letting this happen, but Azul will always keep an eye open.

Both Jade and Floyd will definitely use the child to play pranks on Azul. Mostly Floyd, Jade prefers to watch and assist. Azul will always be upset with the twins, never with his child. And depending on the severity of the prank, he will turn on his overprotective side and threaten Jade and Floyd that if that happens again they will never see your child again. They never go beyond that limit.

Every now and then when Floyd plays with your child, he will do that joke where he playfully tells them he's going to catch them and bite them. Actually in his playful voice, he doesn't want to scare them. And they will run to Azul and hide behind his legs asking for help while laughing. Or tentacles if they are in their merfolk form.

If you ask them Jade is the scary uncle (only sometimes) but they themselves don't even know why. It's just his vibe or something. However, they are not afraid to ask any of them for something, it being to play or for help.

Azul loves cooking for you and your child, and they love their father's cooking.

You know those little plastic cashiers where kids pretend to have a little shop and try to sell things to people at home? Usually parents or sibling. Azul loves to play this with his child because it is a great and fun way to pass on his knowledge. Both about sales and about taking care of your money. Usually using the Grim as a guinea pig. Grim also likes to play because he always ends up with food in exchange for toy money.

Jamil’s child(ren) call him: Dad (in informal moments) and Father (at formal events)

Jamil needed to learn to express himself more and better emotionally so as not to end up being a cold father without meaning to. He needs your help to teach your child when to hold back and when to know when they are in a safe space to let go.

The only thing that will follow Jamil forever is an inevitable feeling of guilt for your child having the same fate as him, simply for being his child: serving the Al-Asim family with no other choice. But you can be assured that if there is a way to stop this and give his child freedom of choice, whatever that method may be, he will not give up until he finds it and do it! Normally parents want to give their children what they always wanted and could never have, in Jamil's case it’s freedom.

There was something Jamil wanted to do, but he didn't have the courage to ask the Al-Asim for some kind of vacation. But you had! Using your great friendship with Kalim, you managed to get him to allow you to take a vacation long enough for you to travel as a family, as Jmail wanted. Jamil has always wanted to travel alone, but now with you and your child he would like to travel as a family and give his child the experiences he would have liked to have had himself.

He is quite demanding with his child's education and training. However, his attitude towards this is always calm and collected, and he is attentive to his child's limitations and needs. He is a great and responsible tutor, who knows how to distinguish between being a teacher and being a father.

He is usually quite serious, so you and your child are the ones who start messing with him to have fun and make him laugh. It's always nice when he reminds you two that he can also be a tease. Normal or biggest target of your joint teasing ends up being Grim at some point.

During his work as Kalim's servant, Jamil always had to cook a lot and he's not that big a fan of cooking, so so he can rest at home you're the one who cooks most of the time. He will teach you everything you want to learn and at first you will cook together a lot until you feel comfortable cooking alone. But even then he will continue to offer to help you. Your child will continue to say that Jamil's food is tastier, but yours is prettier. And the food you make together is the best because it’s tasty and pretty. Jamil will also encourage his child to cook with you two so that they can learn from a young age.

His child knows that there is only one thing in this world that can make their father scream in fear: Bugs! If your child is also afraid of insects, you're screwed, because you will be the insect killer in that house. However, if it is just the two of them, Jamil's protective instinct will be stronger and despite his fear he will protect his child. If your child is not afraid of insects, then Jamil will have two protectors. “Can you do dad a favor?”; “Where is it?”; “Living room, south wall last time I saw.”; “Does it fly?”; “...Yes.”

Kalim will treat your child almost like one of his own children, for loving you both so much. He got emotional when he found out you were pregnant, he wanted to help pay for your doctor's appointments if necessary (never was), and he got emotional again when your child was born. He loves buying toys for your child too and give them gifts. He would love for Jamil to let them call him Uncle Kalim. And he loves it when your kids play together.

Vil’s child(ren) call him: Father 

Vil wants to have a family that is at its best as he likes to be at his best himself. He wants you and your child to be as beautiful on the outside as you are on the inside, just as he strives to be as well. However, he would treat a daughter slightly differently than a son because of the different pressures of societal beauty standards.

With a son he would be as strict with him as he is with himself. But with a daughter, he knows she's more likely to suffer from these kinds of things. So although he continues to be relatively strict and wants her to be the best she can be, he ends up being softer with criticism and stronger with praise and soft love than he would be with a son.

He would hire a specialist, like as a child psychologist or something like that, to always know the best ways to rise and protect your child. Children of famous people like him, especially in the digital and social media age, may need more protection from their parents in this regard, in addition to the toxic pressure of comparison that exists. However, because Vil cares so much about your child's personal development as their happiness, he may end up putting enormous pressure on himself to be a perfect parent too.

Both Vil and your child will need you to be the person who brings them both back to the real world and the life of a loving family with flaws like any human being. Vil will always listen to you if you feel he may be being too harsh and demanding with your child, or with himself in terms of parenting.

If you are the type of person who likes to tease Vil by letting yourself be sloppy from time to time, (always at home) then your child will also like to tease their father like that. “You have your mother’s cheekiness, I see.” Vil sighs but laughs. The teasing includes eating sweets and food that Vil would not approve of. You are the parent they ask for things from and who best comforts and pampers them. You two probably team up to make Vil relax and have fun with you.

His child will have the best teachers and tutors, go to the best schools and best establishments for any extracurricular activity they want to have. Vil will probably force them to have an extracurricular activity but they will be free to choose which one.

Rook is OBSESSED with your child! In a respectful way of course, he is just already a huge fan. The result of combining your DNA with Vil's? MERVEILLEUX! He won't hold back the tears when he sees the baby for the first time. He will LOVE playing with your child. He will babysit for free and will be happy to do so if you ever need. It will be a long time before he stops getting so emotional whenever your child calls him "Uncle Rook."

Uncle Epel is the rad uncle, when Vil is not around. He is that person who will help your child do cool activities that Vil may not allow. Like taking a blastcycle ride with him, eat grilled meats, playing with things that make the child very dirty or other things that Vil didn't like Epel to do when they were at NRC. But if at least one parent allows it (you), then there is no problem. Right? All this, of course, when Vil is not around.

When he is there, both Epel and your child behave like little angels. You and Epel have to be very careful that the child doesn't get careless and say something in Epel's dialect in front of Vil. They love Uncle Epel because it is fun to do cool things without their father knowing and with your help.

Your child likes to use Grim as a doll to dress up in cute clothes. The funny thing is that Grim likes it too because your child eventually realizes that if they tell him he looks cool instead of cute, he'll let them keep dressing him up.

Idia’s child(ren) call him: Daddy (when little) Dad (when older)

Idia doesn't believe he can be a good father. A shut-it and antisocial otaku like him? Are you crazy? That's a disaster! He can't take care of himself, how is he going to help you raise a child? However, and especially with you, he also has that overly cocky side that believes that even being an antisocial nerd he would be 1000 times better than a lot of parents out there. So basically he has a tendency to oscillate between these two moods.

In comparison, you are the strict parent, he is the parent who spoils the child. They are both afraid of you when you get upset. He's a ‘Don't tell your mother’ type of dad. He can't say no to his child, but, oddly enough, he can't be emotionally manipulated either. He may even let his child do a lot of things, but even he has limits to what he knows is good or bad for them.

Because he's the permissive father, he's also the scariest when he gets serious. He can never get really mad at his child, but he can say a firm and assertive “No” if necessary. However, if they are still very young and start crying, he will panic and call you immediately. You will then have to comfort Idia and tell him that no, he did not make a decision that put him on the path to the traumatic and apocalyptic ending. What he probably did was the opposite.

If it depends on him, his child will be a nerd/otaku just like his father. However, he doesn't want them to be socially anxious like him and will always encourage them to go for walks with you outside even if it's without him. That doesn't mean there aren't times you drag him outside with you.

Besides occasionally questioning whether he is being a good father, there is something else that haunts him... He still carries and will probably always carry the feeling of guilt for what happened to Ortho, so he is absolutely TERRIFIED that something like that may happen again.

Idia has always tried to keep your child as far away as possible from all areas that are dangerous or even remotely similar to the hallway where that happened. But if your child ever happens to even enter an area that their father did not allow, they will get to know a side of Idia that sometimes you yourself don’t even remember exists: The overprotective, traumatized side that isn't afraid to scare his child if it means keeping them away from the danger. And probably the only way they'll see his red hair. But it will probably be after that, that the two of you will have an open heart conversation and Idia will apologize.

Now, about Uncle Ortho, they LOVE uncle Ortho! He's the one who goes for a walk with you and your child when you and he can't convince Idia to go too. He is a cheerful uncle who loves to play with your child. You three made up stories to explain why uncle Ortho was a humanoid. You always make up different and crazy stories to jest with them and make them change the subject. The day will come when they will be old enough to know the truth.

Idia may even talk badly about himself a lot of the times, but no matter what his child do, they are talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular and everything good. “Of course that's because they inherited it from you, not me.” He will say with a smile.

Both Idia and your child treat Grim like a pet cat and find it funny to see him getting grumpy.

Idia spoke to his child in that baby voice when they themselves were also babies. And maybe also when they are children to the point where they tell him to stop treating them like babies.

Malleus’s child(ren) call him: Daddy (when little) Dad (when older) Father (at formal events)

The day Malleus found out you were pregnant was already a happy day, but the day your child was born was the happiest day of his life! And every moment with them is the happiest moment of his day. And of course with you too. He totally and completely loves his family!

Anyone who dares to speak ill of the child of Malleus Draconia, especially about the fact that they are half-human, will suffer the consequences! Anyone who spoke openly about the child being something of a disgrace, shame or an abomination was either killed or imprisoned. (Depending on how opposed you really are to Malleus killing or ordering someone to be killed.) and of course, the same applies to talking bad about you.

The problem is that this is doing the same thing to your child that was done to him. He's scaring everyone and making them afraid to come near your child for fear of saying or doing something that might upset them or Malleus. He listens to you and agrees with you, showing concern and thoughtfulness about what should be done. He hates people being disrespectful to the ones he loves, but he also doesn't want his child to go through what he went through.

What ends up happening is that, on Malleus's part, he realizes that he has to start learning ways for people to respect his child without using fear, but to do that he also has to start letting certain insults slide. He doesn't like it, but if it's what's best for his child, he'll do the best he can. Although the same applies if they disrespect you. He hates it so much!

In the case of your child, you are helped by Lilia (if he’s still alive), Silver, Sebek and their families. Perhaps trying to spend more time among their people and with other fae, humans, and half-fae might be beneficial to a child's social development.

Lilia would treat the child as if they were his own grandchild. Even if Silver also has children, they are ALL Lilia's grandchildren! “There's no denying it any longer... I am... officially... an old man... For the best possible reasons!” Everyone will rescue your child from Lilia's food. “Never eat anything that Grandpa Lilia cooks, you hear?”

Silver is the calm uncle who, despite not being the most fun to play with, is the one they turn to when they want to rest and simply have a good chill time. Or take a nap. Probably who they turn to to run away and hide from Sebek when he's being annoying. He ends up being the adult (than is not their parents) that they trust most and feel most comfortable with. Silver is very happy when they ask him for help to get closer to an animal to see it better, and even more so if they and the animals end up interacting and playing with each other.

Now about Uncle Sebek... If there is anyone more protective and flattering of that child than Malleus, it is Sebek. He cried when the child was born, for sure. And cried even more when the child said his name, or whenever they at least tried to. The day they called him "Uncle Sebek" he was about to have a heart attack. The problem is that he ends up being one of those type of person who adores children (although in his case the only ones he likes would be Malleus's and his own children) to the point that the child finds them annoying and clingy. “But don't tell Uncle Sebek that, he'll be sad.”

Whenever the child throws a tantrum that ends up causing their powers to manifest in storms or uncontrolled magic, Malleus will take care of it while you stay away and safe. To him, any attack would be mere tickling, but he always made sure that your child knows that the same does not apply to you. They may end up thinking that you are very fragile while they are little, but it is better this way to ensure that they do not hurt you unintentionally.

This also means that whenever you need to say ‘No’ to your child, Malleus will do it if there is a possibility that they would start throwing tantrums. At least while they are young and cannot control their powers well.

Malleus also runs the risk of being a father who spoils his children.

Your child and Grim probably burn a lot of things around the castle because they play together and they both have fire powers.

If you would like to read more from me, you can find it in my pinned post: INDEX

And if you would like to read this but with other characters you can write in the comments. If this post has a lot of notes (likes and reblogs) I might consider making a second part with other characters.

[gf2bellamy]

HI IM BACK AGAIN!! just wanted to say a huge thank you for doing my request :DD

anyway i had this really cewl idea where the reader kinda dresses up as spencer one day for a prank or a joke and he LOVES IT

idk how he’d react or anything but i thought it was really cute !

YOURE THE BEST!!

- 🐚

dress up — spencer reid

pairing: spencer reid x reader ( no use of y/n ) content warnings: nothing i think a/n: Of course !! You're so very welcome <333 THIS IDEA IS SO CUTE AND FUN i love it so creative - thank you for requesting i hope you like it !!! also the first picture is what i'd imagine the outfit would look like but ofc you're free to imagine any other outfit !

You held your coffee tightly, the warmth seeping through your fingers as you stepped into the elevator. You tapped your foot impatiently against the metal floor. 

The brown satchel hung at your side, an almost identical match to Spencer’s. The moment you saw it at the store yesterday, the idea struck you like a lightning bolt.

What if, just for a day, you dressed like him?

The thought had been amusing, almost childish in its excitement, but you couldn’t shake it. After all, Spencer had an undeniably good sense of style—classic, intellectual, effortlessly endearing. 

So, you woke up early that morning, carefully piecing together the outfit. A checkered button-down, layered under a cable-knit sweater, topped with a brown blazer. Dark slacks and your best attempt at his signature satchel completed the look.

You had smiled at yourself in the mirror, suppressing a laugh. It wasn’t perfect, but it was close enough. Close enough that he would notice.

You grinned to yourself as you stepped into the BAU, the usual hum of conversation and rustling papers filling the air.

You made your way toward your desk, your fingers wrapped around the warm coffee cup as you stole a glance at Spencer. 

He was deeply engrossed in the pile of case files before him, his eyes darting across the pages in that rapid way of his, completely unaware of your presence.

But the moment you set your coffee down with a soft thud, he stirred, lifting his head with the beginnings of a familiar smile—one he always gave you in the morning. 

Except this time, it never fully formed. 

His mouth fell open slightly, his brows knitting together in visible confusion as his gaze swept over you.

His eyes lingered on the checkered button-down peeking from beneath your cream-colored sweater, the structured blazer draped effortlessly over your shoulders, and finally, the brown satchel at your side. 

You watched the gears turn in his brilliant mind, the way he pieced it together like he was solving a puzzle. The realization hit him all at once. 

"You—" Spencer started, blinking rapidly, before his voice caught in his throat. He looked back at you, then at your outfit, then back at you again, as if trying to confirm whether his brain was playing tricks on him. 

You simply raised an eyebrow, tilting your head slightly, amusement dancing in your eyes. 

A teasing smile played at your lips as you leaned against your desk. "Something wrong, Dr. Reid?" 

His lips parted, but no immediate response came. Instead, he let out a short, breathy laugh—equal parts bewildered and amused. "You’re… you’re dressed like me." 

You feigned a gasp, placing a hand on your chest. "What? No. This is just my natural sense of style." 

Spencer narrowed his eyes playfully, clearly unconvinced. "The satchel—it's nearly identical to mine." 

You casually adjusted the strap on your shoulder. "Great minds think alike." 

"And the sweater over the button-down?" His voice held an unmistakable note of amusement now. 

"Classic, isn’t it?" You shrugged. "I figured if I’m going to be the second smartest person in the BAU, I should at least dress the part." 

Spencer huffed out a soft chuckle, running a hand through his curls as if still trying to process it all.

For a moment, he just stared at you. And then, with the smallest shake of his head, he muttered under his breath, "Unbelievable." 

You smirked. "Believe it, genius." 

His lips twitched as he finally broke into a full smile—the kind that made your stomach flip. 

Mission accomplished. 

"Oh, wait! Let me show you the most important part," you announced with a grin, making your way over to his desk. 

Spencer’s eyes followed you, still filled with disbelief, as if his brain was struggling to catch up with reality. You stopped beside him.

Then, with a dramatic flourish, you bent down and lifted the hem of your pants, revealing your socks. 

"Mismatched," you declared proudly. One sock was patterned with tiny astronauts, the other with bright yellow ducks. "It’s not a Spencer Reid outfit if it doesn’t include mismatched socks, right?" 

You shot him a cheeky smile, waiting for his reaction. 

For a second, he just stared. 

Mouth slightly open. 

Eyes wide. 

Silent. 

Then, in the span of a breath, he let out a sharp laugh—genuine, unfiltered, and completely caught off guard.

"You—" he tried, but another laugh escaped before he could finish. "You really committed to this." 

You straightened up, feigning offense. "Of course I did! I take my role as Spencer Reid 2.0 very seriously." 

He shook his head, still chuckling as he ran a hand through his curls. "Unbelievable." 

"Believable," you corrected with a smirk, plopping down in the chair next to him. 

Spencer studied you for a moment, his gaze softer now. Then, as if making a silent decision, he leaned forward slightly, elbows resting on his desk. 

"You know," he said, voice quieter but no less warm, "I think you might be pulling it off better than I do." 

Your heart did an embarrassing little flip at the compliment, but you masked it with an easy shrug. "Well, I do make everything look good." 

He huffed out another small laugh, shaking his head before looking back down at his papers. "I don’t know whether I should be flattered or worried about my own fashion sense now." 

You nudged his shoulder lightly. "Definitely flattered." 

And though he didn’t say anything, the faint pink dusting his cheeks told you he absolutely was. 

[somerandomcockroach]

*sets the sofa, sits down* AND WE RIGHT AWAY START FROM THE PROWL IS AND WILL BE A MURDERED STATEMENT. GOOD AHAHAH Love how much Prowl improved in reading emotions. Orion. You ask Prowl something that he probably memorized from the book and he of course will tell you a book definition. Don't cut it with your merely "It's a massacre" Still wonder at the fact of how much functionists had to f*** up the whole situation for the beasts, who are more than capable of intelligent thinking and just different by their mode or different things that can not even appear in them in the first place, for this whole situation to appear that even the "compromise" seems like a hardly reachable option. I understand if other monsters who are, more bests than mechas. But most of them seem to be, decent, normal, minding their business, just trying to find a fuel/food, yeah, this last is easily solvable.

Yeah, Orion, exactly, let me sit with you

Oh, here we are, Orion snaps at Prowl. Do it, he went in a different direction, the one leading to murder and blood, you know. The problems that are solved hard way are never logical ahah, good luck, Prowl *looks at Orion trying to see a glimpse of emotion from Prowl for at least his own death to crack his logic* I need a minute Orion for god's sake could you like, fake laws and give him your own written full of ponies and funsies?? You were giving him official books with laws, I'm sure a lot of written by Functionalists and you expect to break the logic that was based on it??? OH RATCHET. PROWL CAN DO NOTHING. OKAY OKAY OKAY OKAY OKAY OKAY OKAYOKA YAOKAYAOKAY. OKAY. NO ONE SAID RATCHET??? RATCHET, COULD, JUST, ARRRGHHHHHH BASTARDS ORION AND SHOCKWAVE MAXED THE "LOOK AWAY IN TIME" ABILITY BUT NO ONE TOLD RATCHET? OH YES. GETTING RID OF YOUR OWN SIGHT AND LEAVE. I BET THIS IS NOT A LOGICAL THING TO CONSIDER FOR PROWL EHEHHEHEE OH MY GOD sorry I need to sit because. Yes clean floor is an easy goal. But Prowl. You are. About to get such a big and complicated to reach goal that it is so mindblowing to now look at you and consider other golems. (Eh, sudden thought of someone getting off his artefact) Prowl. on which side you play I don't understand anymore. Are you trying to make a god out of Orion to scare functionalists by actually making good for them or what.

PROWL YOU COULD. YOU COULD COME UP WITH SUCH GREAT PLANS OF MASS MIGRATION OR AT LEAST BETTER HIDINGS FOR THEM. TRICKING ALL THE TROOPS. YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO FIGHT EVIL, NOT JOIN IT. oh, CONGRATS, your education went to the point where it became wrong! Congrats, Prowl, we are on a changing point ahah! YES IT IS HIS ARMY. HIS ARMY OF POWERFUL, MAGICAL, SAVED AND THANKFUL BEASTS WHO CAN FIGHT FOR SHOCKWAVE, AND I ACTUALLY WISH THAT THEY DID. I WISH THEY DID BEFORE IT WAS TOO LATE. PROWL CAUGHT HIS BEFORE HE EVEN STUMBLED. PROWL MAKES WRONG THINGS BUT. BUT THE FACT THAT HE ACTUALLY COVERS HIM THIS WAY NO MATTER HOW BAD IT IS. I'M SURE ORION IS NOT HAPPY. SHOCKWAVE HAS NO ONE TO COVER HIM WHERE IT COULD KILL HIM. BUT EVERYTHING AROUND HIM IS BUILT WITH GREEN WALLS THAT ARE MUCH STRONGER THAN DENSE WALLS OF BLOOD.

I have several levels of uncomfortable feelings from this part

YOU DID NOT JUST GO TO SHOCKWAVE'S ACADEMY. THEY ARE NOT THE BEASTS YOU CAN TOUCH. EVER. OH MY FRICKING GOD OKAY HERE I CRY FOR REAL. THE SCENE OF HIM. SWORD AND BOOK. PROTECTING WITH EVERYTHING HE HAS. STANDING LIKE A MOUNTAIN AND THE PRIMUS ITSELF

THE COUNCIL WOULDN'T LET HIM DO THIS.... ..... what...... The burns are from?..

............ I just understand that. That I'm sure the way Shockwave "changed" is so many times harder and more powerful because of who he is and what he is capable of... Get Prowl, Orion nd Ratchet at one table and ask them if what they do will find a punishment from Primus.

............

....................... When Orion is in troubled feelings Prowl searches for Shockwave. All goals are tangled, lost and complicated. His goal became something he cannot reach no more since it evolved too hard. Oh my god I wanna see how... how that goal, something he cannot reach no more, just becomes a part of him, like a self forged motor heart of his, just to keep living. Are they... Shockwave's students?... F** THEY ARE I AM CRYING AGAIN SHIT F** YOU KEF I CANNOT NO MORE DON'T JSHDEDC AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA OKAY BREATH, COMEONE. LAST WILL. *INTENSIFIES CRYING* F*** YOUUUUUUUUUU THEY. EVERYTHING. HE LEFT EVERYTHING TO ORION. SKIDS???? THUNDERCRACKER?? OH DID ORION NEVER HOLD SHOCKWAVE'S SWORD??? or just became too weak from all the events... OH MY GOD THE SCENE OF KNEELING, THE SCENE OF THE STUDENT OF THEIR PASSED MASTER ON THE VERGE OF CRYING AND ALL THE STUDENTS OF HIS DEAR FRIEND KNEELING BEFORE HIM. I AM DEAD NO ONE TALK TO ME. PROWL LOOK. LOOK WHAT AN ILLOGICAL LONG TERM EFFORT MAKES. IT MAKES LITERALLY INEFFICIENT MIRACLE. THE MIRACLE THAT IS WORTH ALL THE PERCENTAGES. YOU DO NOT KILL AND WORK FOR IT TO BE MORE THAN ONE DAY MERCY I mean Ratchet got a boyfriend this way come on

WEHGEHGEWFHWFEWE HELP. I imagined that Shockwave had a score system or something for Skids to actually say "Best student" as something not of a brag level SHOCKWAVE YOU SMART SWEET ROLL I LOVE YOU. HE KNEW HOW TO DO IT RIGHT. SUCK IT COUNCIL AND COUNCIL DARE YOU TO TRY TO USE IT IN YOUR ADVANTAGE.

PROWL I SWEAR TO ALL THE GODS

(side note can I kiss you for just... rotating every possible side of Prowl? Like, I am just, suddenly understood that just a thing of Prowl assuming that Shockwave could betray Orion is something so fittable for him since he considers everything but just... when you look at it from the side of coming up with it. I wouldn't??)

SHOCKWAVE WHAT DID YOU DO.

They are still not executed. So I am sure it isn't about the saving monsters thing. I think Prowl leads the idea in the right direction. I am confused though at why Shockwave turned into demon at this exact time. What was the trigger. I am leaning closer to the dark magic than betrayal anyway

THE GOD MUST BE WRONG

RIGHT DIRECTION, PROWL.

ARE YOU... did you just... led him straight to mimics plotline....

Part 2 of Golem!Prowl AU!

_____________________

“I hate it,” Orion sighs.

“It's understandable. But you can't change the system from the inside without becoming part of it first.”

“I was hoping I could become part of it without becoming a murderer.”

“It's okay” says Prowl ”You don't have to. That's what you have me for.”

Orion twitches.

Part 1. Next->

The fic under the cut⤵️

Orion looks...sick. Worried. Scared.

“Prowl, do you know what the Great Hunt is?”

Prowl tilts his head keeping up with the lists he received from the Council.

“Traditional raids on monsters made to consolidate control over the land holdings of regular Mechs.”

Orion rubs the bridge of his nose

“It's a massacre.”

Prowl twitches his wing.

“It is a measure of intimidation against creatures that cannot be negotiated with. Brutal, I don't deny that, but experience shows it works. The destructive activity of monsters lessens considerably if they know their actions can be followed by punishment.”

Orion stares at him. For a long time. Silently.

Tensely studying him, as if seeing him for the first time.

“You think killing them instead of finding a compromise is...right?”

Prowl thinks he must be treading on unstable ground.

“I think it works. That is all. Monsters do a lot of damage with their existence. They kill, destroy and pillage. If periodically reducing their numbers reduces their damage, it confirms the effectiveness of the strategy.”

“They just want to live. Primus' sake, they want to eat.”

Prowl sighs. More for appearances than for any real effect.

“I suppose I can't judge them for wanting to survive. It makes sense.”

Orion nods.

He looks oddly pensive.

“Ratchet keeps picking up wounded...” he stammers, apparently trying to find a suitable alternative to the word monster “...wounded beastformers. I've been to his house. It's generous, but I'm afraid of what will happen if he gets caught doing it.”

Prowl frowns

“He should have stopped.”

“You wouldn't understand.” sighs Orion ”Him. Shockwave. We want to help. To make things better. I don't need you to chide me for disobeying the rules, I need you to figure out how to change them. Ghosts and insecticons deserve freedom as much as we do.”

“But...”

Orion looks at him angrily.

“No. Whatever you're going to say in response to that. No. I know you're driven primarily by logic, but I need you to remember it well. All sentient beings deserve to live free. Do you understand? All of them. Period.”

Prowl rolls up the lists and interlocks his fingers in front of him. There are small scuffs on his thumbs and index fingers from constant writing. He occupies himself with running his fingers over them, feeling the difference in texture.

“Mech's freedom in such a case ends where someone else's hungry jaws begin. You can't expect monsters and Mechs to just coexist in peace if you give them freedom.”

“No” sighed Orion ”That's why I support Shockwave's idea with creating an academy for magically gifted Mechs. He's helping to show the world that so-called 'dark creatures' can be as civilized citizens as any Mech. He teaches them to find that compromise. We can't just expect centuries of hate and fear to be forgotten once the laws change. We must direct this process. To help the Mechs understand and accept each other. Guide them, you might say.”

Prowl feels a headache coming on, as it always does when Orion requires him to logically solve a problem the answer to which lies in the feelings rather than the intellect. He's not built for this. It irritates him.

Orion stops right in front of him and puts a hand on his shoulder.

“Tell me what you think of this. If...let's pretend for a second that my morality fiddles don't matter anymore. That the problem of Mechs and monsters coexisting is something you alone need to solve. And solve it in such a way that the outcome is optimal for us as a society. To maximize the number of happy citizens. What would you do?”

Prowl is silent for a moment.

Orion squeezes his shoulder lightly before continuing.

“'Free from my judgmental conclusions, Prowl. From the standpoint of pure logic. What should we do?”

What to do...Prowl's thought process finally finds a direct and understandable train of thought. Monsters make up a paltry few percent of the population of all living Mechs. The numbers fluctuate depending on which region is being considered of course.

In some cities, some types of monsters are considered just fancy Mechs. Some monsters have risen from the status of savages to being respectable Mechs over the course of history. Even Orion's best friend, Shockwave, could be regarded as a mystical creature in some regions due to his gift of flight.

Nevertheless. The percentage is still minuscule.

But even that tiny percentage takes a significant toll on the economy and quality of life, because just one uncontrollable creature can terrorize an entire city.

He notes the weight of Orion's hand on his shoulder. Not judgmental. Orion promised he wouldn't judge.

“I'd get rid of the monsters.”

“Oh” Orion blinks ”Locked them in cages? Chased them away? Killed them?”

Prowl twitches his wings

“Banishment will only move the problem in terms of space, and imprisonment isn't secure enough. It would make sense to get rid of the monsters. Once and for all. It wouldn't be pretty or merciful, but it would greatly improve life for everyone, at the cost of a tiny percentage of living beings who were already of no use.”

“And you believe that would be a good outcome?”

“I believe it would.”

“But you're not a Mech yourself.” Orion reminds “Would you be willing to be exterminated along with the rest of the creatures if your plan were put into action?”

Prowl tilts his head slightly. Just to make it easier to look at Orion.

“You created me to, as you put it, help you make the world a better place. Sometimes in order to improve something you have to cut out the factors that get in the way. It's simple logic.”

“You didn't answer my question” Orion points out ”How would you feel if I decided to take your advice and destroy all mystical creatures, including you?”

“I am not made to feel” straightens Prowl ”My job is to find solutions to problems. I gave you a solution.”

“You don't include yourself in the reckoning.” snorts Orion “Again. You talk as if you will never be affected by anything.”

As it should be, Prowl thinks. He's a conscientious worker and a ..seemingly law-abiding citizen. He does what he can to make Mech's lives better. Even though he may not be a Mech, he's doing the right thing. Why would something happen to him?

Orion removes his hand from his shoulder and shakes his head.

“'Alright. I've heard you. But I want to make it as clear as possible - what you suggested is immoral, cruel, and should never be implemented. Do you understand me? Never. If you want to build a better world, you cannot and will not build it on other people's deaths. Have I made myself clear enough?”

“Perfectly clear.”

“Good.”

-----------------

Ratchet looks...many words could be used to describe him.

He's standing in the center of the trial room with a lot of emotions written all over his face. But if Prowl had to describe - he'd say Ratchet practically radiates rage. Not violent. More of a powerless one.

The rage of a Mech who knows he's cornered, but refuses to even consider giving up and admitting defeat.

Prowl sits in a far dark corner, silently documenting the whole process.

The council is furious. They apparently discovered that Ratchet has been dragging wounded monsters to his house and healing them all this time.

Which is ... very much as expected from Ratchet.

Prowl wants Orion here, but both Orion and Shockwave are now on a diplomatic mission a few days away, so the only support Ratchet has is...Prowl. Who can't help in any way, so he just sits there and meticulously documents the whole process so that Orion can then be informed of every single detail.

The council doesn't look happy. They say that Ratchet is sabotaging the hunters' efforts to contain the monsters by his actions.They are angered by Ratchet's absolute determination to insist that he was doing the right thing.

Prowl would be impressed, if only Ratchet's stubbornness made sense.

It's simple math. Ratchet saves lives. Monsters take them.

Thus Ratchet's life has much, much more weight and is more valuable.

If Ratchet would just accept the Council's decision now and promise to stop curing monsters, the whole problem would be solved as efficiently as possible.

But Ratchet, of course, persists. Probably just because that's his nature.

Ratchet can also afford to be so stubborn because his skill level makes him incredibly valuable to the Council. Prowl knows for a fact that if any other medic were in Ratchet's shoes right now - they would have been sentenced to banishment or execution by now.

When Ratchet realizes exactly how the Council caught him, his rage is instantly replaced by shock.

This revelation is enough to startle him and make him back down. To nod and numbly swear that he will end his "blasphemous hobby."

Prowl carefully folds the scribbled scrolls into the case as the Council doors close behind both his and Ratchet's backs.

“Orion will be happy to know that you were prudent enough to avoid death.”

Ratchet shifts his gaze to him

“You knew? Knew they could see through our optics? Did you know they could find out anything about any Mech at any time?”

Prowl tucks his hands behind his back and nods politely

“Knowing things is my job.”

Ratchet sighs. Heavy. Exhausted. Doomed maybe.

“How does Orion deal with it...”

“Orion has a reputation with the Council. They consider him a decent, law-abiding Mech, so they see no point in keeping tabs on him.”

“Are you kidding?” Raetchet raises his eyebrows “Orion can't do everything he does and remain ‘decent’ in their eyes. He and Shockwave practically cuddle with every possible creature every day and all they get is a little reprimand????”

Prowl tilts his head

“Orion learned to look away in time. And he has me for everything else.”

Ratchet doesn't answer him. He rubs the bridge of his nose tiredly and starts to walk away.

His shoulders look oddly tense. He looks defeated, but not in the way a Mech would describe a slain turbofox. No. There is a deep-seated, angry determination.

A willingness to act dictated by desperation.

The news of the surveillance has thrown Ratchet off balance but not knocked him off his feet as the Council had hoped.

Prowl looks at his back and walks off in the opposite direction. The problems of living, feeling Mechs have always been and will always be mysterious to him.

Ratchet does what no one expects him to do.

He doesn't stage protests. He doesn't accept the verdict.

He leaves silently, taking with him only medical supplies and an old lantern.

The council is furious, turning over every stone in an attempt to find him, but all in vain.

Prowl's daily duties now include “keeping track of any possible news related to Ratchet.“

And then, no matter what he finds, report to Orion that he's found nothing.

Put on a little regular show for all concerned. Show the Mechs in the Council that Orion remains loyal and does his best to find and bring to justice any blasphemer whether it's a friend of his or not.

He is his purpose. But the more time passes, the harder it becomes for him to trace the path to the fulfillment of that purpose. He envies the golems whose only function is to scrub floors. Their lives are understandable. A clean floor is a temporary but easily attainable goal. They are happy to fulfill the goal for which they were created. And then they're happy knowing their job is done well, until the floor gets dirty again.

Prowl is walking towards his goal, but it's not getting any closer. He knows what he needs to do to get there, but the variables are constantly changing and he has to adjust his course of action each time according to new information, conditions, and Orion's opinion on them.

Politics is infinitely more complicated than mopping floors after all.

————————————

Orion doesn't turn around on him as they walk down the hall. But Prowl can physically feel the attention focused on him.

“Prowl. Did you know I was awarded today for my ''outstanding service'' by the entire Council?”

“I did not.

“They've gone through all the reports and discovered that according to the logs me and my mechs are performing excellently when it comes to eliminating mystical threats.”

“Congratulations.”

“It's funny that you feel the need to congratulate me too” Orion continues ”Because I certainly didn't give orders to eliminate anyone.”

Their pacing doesn't falter. They continue to walk calmly down the hallway as if nothing is happening. But Prowl can practically taste the increased tension.

“Prowl” says Orion “Why is the Council rewarding me for murder? And where are the Mechs they think I killed now?”

Prowl checks the scrolls. Not because he doesn't remember. Just to buy some time to formulate an answer.

“They were the inevitable casualties. I took charge of their destruction. On your behalf.”

“You know how I feel about killing.”

“I know.” nods Prowl for some reason. Why? Not that Orion can see it “I also know how the Council feels about Mechs showing suspicious activity. They would have started watching you as soon as they noticed you were letting monsters slip away from you suspiciously often.”

Orion...sounds... conflicted. He sounds struggling.

“You killed them.”

“I gave the order. As any other hunter would have done in my place.”

Orion stops so abruptly that Prowl doesn't catch the moment and bumps into his back.

“We're supposed to be better than other hunters Prowl! How can you still not grasp that concept!!!”

Orion looks furious. Prowl discreetly looks around.

Around them is a relatively empty hall. Windows covered by heavy curtains. The cleaning golems scurrying back and forth.

“I understand” he says “But let me remind you that you cannot test their trust infinitely. Your 'being better' rests on your reputation. And it's my job to make sure your reputation lives up to it.”

Orion looks at him...Prowl isn't even sure how to describe it. Usually he has to argue with Orion's logic, proving his point but this time...Orion is the one arguing with him.

It feels strange. Uncomfortable.

He's doing everything Orion wanted him to do, but for the sake of it he has to do something Orion can't stand.

Orion clenches and unclenches his fists helplessly. Rubbing the fabric of his cloak.

“Shockwave can save lives without killing anyone.”

“Shockwave is one unfortunate act away from serious consequences” shakes his head Prowl “His academy is looking more and more like his own small army every day. His students are not loyal to the Council, they are loyal to Shockwave. And the Council knows that. And will use it. And it won't be pretty when it happens.”

“No...” shakes his head Orion, not addressing anyone in particular ”No no no no no...”

Prowl can understand why Orion is upset. But he also knows he's right this time. Shockwave may look like a fine example of mercy, but he walks on the very edge of the law and any wrong move will instantly turn him from “out of the box thinker” to renegade.

The Council will come for his head and the Council will get his head because Shockwave will have nothing to prove his loyalty with.

Orion will. Prowl made sure of that.

Orion can bend the rules, can borrow the Council's trust, can do all sorts of reprehensible things. He can stumble and fall and then fall a couple more times and find that it doesn't hurt him because Prowl caught him even before he stumbled.

He did it at the cost of lives. Yes.

But Orion's life is far more valuable than the lives of monsters.

Society doesn't need monsters to become better, but society needs Orion. Monsters need Orion. Because if Orion is gone, no one else will care about his idealistic goal.

“Sometimes I forget how creepy you can be...” mutters Orion ”You're going to betray me sooner or later.”

“I could never betray you.” Prowl twitches his wing.

“You've successfully betrayed what I believe in.”

“It's fine with me if you hate me for it. As long as you are alive, safe, and can continue your quest.”

Orion falls silent.

He turns away to stare at a strip of light from a nearby window. There are beautiful, wrought iron grates that cast an intricate, curved shadow on the floor and walls.

A golem janitor hurries past them.

“I hate it,” Orion sighs.

“It's understandable. But you can't change the system from the inside without becoming part of it first.”

“I was hoping I could become part of it without becoming a murderer.”

“It's okay” says Prowl ”You don't have to. That's what you have me for.”

Orion twitches.

Shockwave falls.

Prowl isn't there to see for himself, but a lot of rumors reach him. Lots. Lots of rumors.

The Mechs say the time of the Great Hunt has come.

They say that when the hunters arrived on the Academy's doorstep, Shockwave didn't let them in.

They say. He stood in front of the gates.

With sword in one hand and the Primus Covenant in the other, and declared that his school was a sanctuary for all living beings in need of protection.

Claimed that anyone who dared set foot inside with a weapon would have to go through him.

“And they retreated!” gestures Orion frantically ”They didn't dare test him! They backed away from the walls of the Academy. I don't know how many monsters were left alive in the forests that night, but none of Shockwave's students were harmed...”

Prowl listens with a healthy dose of wariness

“The Council wouldn't just let him do that.”

Orion begins nervously winding circles around the room.

“You're right, you're right. You're right now and you were right back then. They're going to bring him before the Court by tomorrow, and...”

“There's no chance of that ending well,...is there?" Prowl finishes his thought.

Orion looks pained

“They'll be going through everything he's been up to. Every forged document, every enrolled Mech who by all criteria should be considered a monster. Every time he sheltered them from the Council instead of destroying them. They'll realize what he's been doing and they won't like it at all.”

Prowl...trying to sound reassuring.

“Shockwave has tremendous support from his Academy. There's a chance the Council will be afraid of invoking their wrath and won't judge Shockwave too harshly.”

Orion continues to walk in circles

“You think so?”

“There is a good chance.”

Prowl finds Orion in Sickbay. Which is very disturbing and wrong, because Orion was supposed to be at the Trial. Supporting Shockwave and begging the Council to relent.

But Orion is in Sick Bay. When he shouldn't be.

And he's covered in ugly dark burns. From something Prowl can't recognize.

This is all wrong. It's all--

“What happened at the trial?”

Orion sounds. Startled.

“There was no Trial.”

“What?”

Orion sounds as if something inside him has cracked. In every sense of the phrase.

“The Trial hasn't even had time to begin. He...” Orion clutches his trembling fingers, hoping to still them, but it has no tangible effect. His shoulders are trembling.

He looks like his whole body could be torn apart with one careless touch. “They asked him if he would plead guilty to aiding and abetting dark creatures. All they had time to ask was if he realized he was wrong.”

An uncomfortable, prickly feeling settles in Prowl's mind.

"And?”

Orion squeezes his fingers so hard the creaking of hinges becomes audible.

“It...I...Prowl, his very spark began to ooze dark magic. It was horrible, it was like.. it was eating him from the inside. The entire courtroom became darker than night, many Mechs got burned. I've never seen anything like this before! He..It.. started attacking Mechs and destroying everything...it was like it went crazy...it attacked me and I had to...Prowl I had to fight it! I didn't...I'd heard about it happening but I believed until the last minute that I wouldn't have to face it...”

Gears of chaotic detail fall into place in Prowl's mind.

“Shockwave...turned into a demon...?”

Orion nods shakily

“The Council didn't even have a chance to sentence him or spare him or even sort out what happened.....

He stated that he did not consider himself guilty for what he had done and...Primus was the one who made the judgment before anyone else could...”

That's... terrifying really. For a number of reasons. Losing a close friend is awful, being subjected to such merciless punishment is awful, but also...

What sends a chill down Prowl's back is the moral implication that such punishment carries.

Orion, as if reading his thoughts, raises his gaze to him

“Is what we are doing...wrong? I don't...does Primus think helping monsters is worthy of punishment?”

Now that's a really reasonable question.

Shockwave would say that Primus is merciful and would never condemn a Mech for an act of kindness. But Shockwave ended up being condemned.

Ratchet would say that he doesn't care about Primus' opinion because Primus isn't real. But Ratchet isn't here.

Prowl wants to say that it doesn't matter whether or not Primus thinks they're wrong, what matters is that he can at any moment force his justice on any living spark, so his concept of right has to become Orion's too, or else he's doomed. But Orion is definitely in no state to have a philosophical argument. He looks shattered and Prowl almost instinctively is about to go and find Shockwave, but remembers that option is no longer available.

He's not made for this. Shockwave has always been the one to cheer Orion up on a bad day. Not Prowl, no. Prowl isn't sure what to do so he just sits down next to him and gently places a hand on Orion's shoulder. The one where he can't see the burns, so it shouldn't hurt.

“I don't. I'm used to always relying on your point of view as a reference for what's right and what's wrong.”

“I know” runs a shaky hand over his face Orion “But it's not like I'm perfect. I try, god, I try but just like with the logical part - my vision isn't flawless. Have I been...wrong all this time? Trying to disrupt Primus' intended vision? Maybe what I've been trying to fix never needed fixing. Maybe it's just me being so stupid and not understanding things maybe...???”

Orion cuts himself off mid sentence, realizing that he's started raising his voice and waving his arms around again. He sits back down on the medical bed and curls back up into a miserable ball.

“What should I do....”

“I don't know,” Prowl repeats awkwardly.

He is his goal. But his goal ..doesn't exist anymore?

He doesn't know where to put himself.

Golems are made to fulfill requests. But Orion's request system has been evolving and complicating for so long that Prowl can't tell where its boundaries are anymore.

He feels lost.

——————————

Orion stops cold.

“What...”

Prowl, standing at his right hand looks equally puzzled.

They are in a spacious courtyard bordering directly on the Council building. It's a very beautiful, open and spacious place because it was originally built with large crowds of Mechs in mind. There's wide walkways, a massive circular plaza with fountains and statues.

And right now, it's filled to the brim with Mechs, most of whom Prowl is seeing for the first time. They're all wearing knight armor and carrying weapons, however still kept in their scabbards.

They look like a small army. A very, very diverse army, Prowl realizes. Because there are almost no regular Mechs among them.

Orion looks... distraught.

Mechs? Monsters? A few knights separate and come closer, bowing their heads respectfully.

“Orion Pax.”

There is so much grief and disbelief in Orion's eyes that it physically hurts to look at him.

When he begins to speak his voice sounds hoarse, like someone has poured sand down his throat.

“What...what are you doing here...?”

The knight standing in front of everyone ceremoniously places his palm on his spark.

“We are here to fulfill the last will of our mentor and your friend. Shockwave has decreed in his last will that in the event of his death his legacy must pass to you and those of us who wish to carry on his work must publicly pledge our allegiance to your will.”

Orion clutches his hands together to keep them from starting to shake again.

“But...I was there. I...your mentor was slain by my hands...how can you..."

"It doesn't matter. Everything that was his is now yours." smiles the knight sadly "We will make sure his legacy lives on. And even if the Academy falls - you can always count on us."

At the same time as he finishes speaking, the knight in blue armor drops to one knee, pulling Shockwave's sword from its sheath and holding it out respectfully to Orion... who looks like he's about to start crying.

He dazedly accepts the sword, twitching in surprise when it turns out to be heavier than expected and probably tries to say something, but all that comes out is a short sorrowful sigh.

He just.

Clutches the sword to his chest, watching in disbelief as all the arriving mechs get down on one knee following the blue knight. There aren't that many mechs, but at this point - they seem to rival the sea.

Prowl knows some of them. Many of them made their way to Shockwave after Orion found them. There's the harpy over there who nearly ripped Orion's head off the first time they met. A few ghosts he can remember the faces of but doesn't know the names. He'd had a long argument with Orion that day, trying to convince him that he shouldn't take their word for it when they promised to make it up to him.

And now they're all here. In beautiful new armor. Executing their mentor's last will and testament.

Just like regular Mechs, only a little eccentric looking.

The crowd of hunters that has come to find out what's going on looks as speechless and dumbfounded as Orion.

" What" Orion also gets down on one knee to be on the same level as the knight "what's your name?"

Prowl squints warily from behind Orion's shoulder. The blue mech looks normal, but to be honest, there's no way someone coming out of the Shockwave Academy is going to be an normal plain mech. There has to be a catch somewhere.

"My name is Skids," smiles the knight shyly. "I am...was...Shockwave's best student."

"You are very brave Skids" smiles Orion sorrowfully "I promise to do my best to take care of Shockwave's legacy. And you."

Orion drops his head on the table tiredly.

"This is crazy..."

Prowl pulls an important document from under Orion's head

"It's also quite devious. Shockwave told them specifically to swear to you where all comers can see it. So there's no way for the Council to accuse you of purposely swaying an army of monsters to your side. Everyone saw that this gift was given by force. Now you have many allies with unique skills who are loyal to you and the Council won't try to take them away because they are firmly convinced that you are loyal to the Council."

Prowl examines the document for damage before setting it aside.

"It is..."

"Shockwave gave you an opportunity."

"And I don't know what to do with it!" raises his head Orion "Shockwave was smarter than me and made a lot of plans in case of...I don't know...anything?? I didn't...Prowl. We've been down this path for so long and I was always sure there would be something good at the end of it. Or at least better than it is now..."

Orion rubs his chin and shakes his head awkwardly

"...But if there's only the wrath of Primus and endless darkness at the end...I can't ask anyone to follow me there. I'm not sure if I can keep going myself..."

He sighs helplessly

"I'm not even sure if that even matters."

"The chance that Shockwave would try to use you in some way was about twenty-eight percent."

Orion twitches

"What?"

"I understand that you're hurt by his...fate." Says Prowl "But have you considered the possibility that Shockwave was being punished for betraying you rather than the Council?"

Orion doesn't even answer at first. Just looks at him dazed and bitter.

"Prowl...no. He couldn't have."

"I'm just speculating" shrugs Prowl "Shockwave was punished but as far as I know God didn't bother to name the exact charge. We don't know one hundred percent what exactly caused his...sentence. He may have betrayed the Council's ideas, or he may have betrayed yours."

They both just exist in silence for a while. Processing the information.

"If...and I mean if!!! If Shockwave was convicted of harboring monsters, then everything we've been doing all this time can be considered useless blasphemy..." says Orion slowly "...but if he was punished for something else..."

"...then that would mean there's nothing wrong with your idea." finishes Prowl.

Orion frowns

"It would also mean that Shockwave lied to me..."

Prowl nods. The situation is ugly no matter which way you look at it.

Shockwave, as Prowl knows him, would hardly have framed Orion, but Mechs tend to go to great lengths to avoid execution.

If Shockwave had shifted some of the blame to Orion then, it would have partially saved him. Was that what he was going to do? Was this what Primus had stopped him from doing?

Orion's finials twitch slowly

"I don't know Prowl. I don't know what to do. I don't want anyone else to get hurt because of my fantasies."

Orion is hard to read, but right now he's an open book.

Prowl tilts his head

"You're scared."

Orion looks. Defeated. Crumpled.

Discolored.

" I am."

Prowl can't work with that. He's used to solving logical problems and making lists and strategies.

He doesn't know how to get someone to stop being scared.

"Is there anything I can do for you?"

"I don't know." mutters Orion "I don't know, I have no idea. It's too much...All these new knights, this whole council situation and now you're also saying that the mech I treasured the most could actually be a liar and...just leave me alone."

"But..."

"Just go away!" shakes his head Orion "Go find something else to do, find a hobby, I don't know! Get out of my head and out of my personal life!"

Prowl nods silently.

Places a couple papers in their places and silently walks out the door.

Gestures a greeting to some mech passing by.

And is completely unsure of what to do with himself.

Orion's too stunned by everything that's happened to give him a clear purpose. And without a purpose, he...he's gone.

He continues to stand by the closed door.

A thought runs obsessively through his mind.

If Shockwave was sentenced for something no one knew about, then punishing him the moment of that trial was a truly terrible decision and even worse timing.

But if Shockwave was sentenced for helping monsters...Prowl isn't sure why his mind resists the idea.

Maybe he's not being objective because he shares Orion's views and aspirations.

Maybe because he has looked at the entire square filled with dangerous monsters and has seen nothing but sorrow and respect in them.

The idea comes naturally.

Then God must be wrong.

He looks at the cleaning golems again. He envies them.

They are peace and contentment.

They are a clear and simple goal.

Probably the biggest stress that happens to them is random mechs passing by and interfering with their cleaning.

And then there's Prowl, standing by with no meaning or purpose and wishing he could throw something heavy because the one who gets in his way is an indefinable force of nature and a complex system of values and beliefs created by millions of years of cultural development....

But Primus can't stop him, can he?

Prowl is not alive. He has no emotion so that his intentions can be categorized as evil, but more importantly he has no spark so that its magic can turn him into a demon.

He is his purpose. His purpose is his god. And Primus stands in his way.

He turns around and walks away.

[operationandre]

please more NSFW headcanons.... I love ur hcs so muchhcskxjsj !!!

NSFW Army of Two Headcanons

Caldre:

Cal has a thing for Andre's arms. Sometimes the boys will play fight, and Cal gets hard everytime Andre puts him in a headlock. It doesn't help that Andre's favorite workouts work on his arms.

Both of the boys like blood. Cal scratches Andre's back just to make him bleed while Andre bites at Cal's lips to crack them. They love tasting the sweet, hot gore that comes from one another.

Andre spits. He's tried so hard to swallow like Cal does, but it makes him feel like he's going to puke. Cal says he doesn't mind Andre throwing up, but that's a bit too weird for the brunette boy.

The first time the boys hooked up, not just silly handjobs or blowjobs, Andre and Cal both cried. Cal started crying first, which made Andre concerned that he was hurting him, but that wasn't the case. The pure intimacy of the moment made the boys emotional, even though they'd never admit it.

Andre is quiet during sex, only letting out grunts and heavy breaths. Cal is loud, even when he tries to hide it. Andre has had to cover Cal's mouth with his hands or stuff a piece of clothing in his mouth before.

Speaking of stuffing clothing in his mouth, after the prom, Cal and Andre obviously hooked up. Andre shoved the arm of Cal's button up into his mouth and made fun of him for it. "God, this still smells like that bitch's perfume. Imagine how she'd feel if she knew what we were doing right now. You'd like that, huh? Someone knowing how much of a slut you are?" (GOD, I want to write a fic on this.)

With Y/N:

Andre has an obsession with thicker thighs. Everytime he's sucking you off or eating you out, he asks you to squeeze his head as tight as you can with your thighs. He loves how they feel around his head and throat, especially the way they make him feel lightheaded.

Cal is an expert at taking off bras. He won't admit how he figured out how to do it, but he can unhook one in less than a second.

Andre will trick you into sitting in between his legs or in his lap when you guys are watching a movie. Around 30 minutes in, his lips are on your neck and his hands are in your pants.

Cal loves when you tug on his hair. Sometimes you'll even pull out a couple strands, but he just asks you to yank harder.

Cal loves being high when you guys have sex. He thinks it makes all the feelings ten times more intense. (Warning: dub-con!) Sometimes he'll get you high just to see how much he can control you, all under the guise of guiding you through it.

Andre loves being underneath you, whether you're fucking him or you're riding him. He'll never say that it's his favorite position, but he loves not being in power for once, especially when he's around you.

[multi-fandom-imagine]

Your last George blurb with the nightmare was really good, would you consider writing a part two where they actually have lunch together?

Much love ♡

A/n: Thank you 🥹 The Weasley twins deserve all the happiness.

George can still feel the nightmare clinging to him, his mind in that daze, that fog. His breath still uneven and his chest still heaving as he gripped the sheets tightly. His heart pounded against his ribs, and his skin felt clammy, the echoes of his nightmare still gripping his mind like a vice. You were gone. Fred was gone. He was alone.

It wasn’t real.

Something in the back of his mind telling him that.

It wasn’t real.

“George?” Your soft, sleepy voice broke through the haze of panic, and he turned his head toward you, his eyes wide and glassy. He blinked a few times as if making sure you were actually there and not just a cruel trick of his mind.

Without a word, he pulled you into his arms, holding you so tightly it nearly knocked the breath out of you. You didn’t complain, simply rubbing soothing circles on his back, whispering reassurances in his ear.

“I’m here, love,” you murmured, pressing a kiss to his temple. “I’m right here.”

He swallowed thickly, his grip on you unrelenting. “I had a nightmare,” he admitted hoarsely. “You and Fred… you were gone. Both of you. And I—” His voice broke, and you felt his shoulders tremble.

He was alone....so utterly alone.

You cupped his face, forcing him to look at you. “We’re here, Georgie. Me and Fred. We’re not going anywhere.”

It took a few minutes, but eventually, George’s breathing evened out. Still, you could see the lingering fear in his eyes, the weight of the what-ifs pressing down on him.

An idea formed in your mind. Placing a kiss to the top of his head. "Go back to sleep and when we wake up we'll go out."

Glancing down, George nodded his head lying hack down pulling you close. Sleep didn't come easy but at least the nightmare didn't return.

It was hours later when he woke up, a smile on your face. “Come on, let’s go out,” you said, brushing his hair back gently.

He furrowed his brows. “Go out?”

“Yeah,” you said brightly. “A lunch date. Just you and me. You need a reminder that we’re here, and that life’s still good.”

George hesitated, his mind still in a hog, he remembered you mentioning that after he woke from his nightmare and while normally he’d be the one to drag you out for an impromptu adventure, but the nightmare had rattled him more than he wanted to admit. Still, when you flashed him that determined look—the one he could never say no to—he sighed in defeat.

“Alright,” he said, a small smile playing on his lips. “But only if you let me pay.”

“Deal.” Giving him a wink you bent down kissing the top of his head.

The little café you picked was cozy, with warm wooden tables and the scent of fresh bread filling the air. You sat across from George, reaching for his hand as you both sipped on butterbeer.

“You seem better,” you noted, squeezing his fingers gently.

George exhaled, rubbing his thumb over your knuckles then across your wedding band. “I think I just needed to see you, hold you. It sounds ridiculous, but when I woke up, it felt so real.” He looked at you, vulnerability in his eyes. “I don’t think I could bear losing you.”

"George what we went through...no one comes out with not losing a piece of themselves." You leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. “You're not going to lose me, you're stuck with me Weasley. For life.”

His grin was back, more genuine this time. “Lucky me.”

“Obviously,” you teased, making him chuckle.

Just as you were finishing your meal, a familiar voice interrupted, “Oi, am I invited to this secret lunch date, or do I have to crash it?”

You both turned to see Fred standing there, hands on his hips, a smirk on his face.

George rolled his eyes. “It’s a date, Freddie. As in, me and my gorgeous spouse. Alone.”

Fred scoffed, plopping down next to you anyway. “Pfft. Like I’d let you two have all the fun. What are we eating?”

You laughed, shaking your head, while George groaned. But as he looked at you, then at his twin—both very much alive, very much here—he realized just how lucky he was.

Maybe the nightmare had been a cruel reminder of how fragile life was. But right now, he had everything he needed.

And he wasn’t letting go.

[inkieflame]

do martyn and ren have any sort of relationship in your au (platonic or otherwise)? what are they most often rented out for?

Trigger warning: drugs and other mind-altering conditions

That's not a simple question (it never is with those two, is it?)

I was gonna save some of the Ren lore for later, but y'all can have a teaser now I guess. Just for you, anon ^^

(edit: it was not just a teaser. I wrote a lot. Oops.)

Yes, there is something happening between Ren and Martyn. They really want to be together (platonic? Romantic? Who knows) they want it more than anything, but it's difficult. Aside from their obvious lack of communication skills, Martyn just... isn't in the lab very often. He's one of the more popular subjects for renting. And then, of course, Ren has his own problems.

Martyn was one of the very first subjects. He remembers when Grian would laugh. He remembers when Taurtis and Netty were still around (no one knows exactly where all those subjects went...) It took him a while to get over Netty leaving, they had been married before they were both captured and brought to the lab, so grieving her was difficult for Martyn.

But then, one day, there is a new batch of subjects, Ren among them. He was so... Outgoing. So starry-eyed. So certain that this facility couldn't keep them down. They would escape! They had to!

And Martyn had missed this kind of light in his life. It has been so sad. Grian had been silent for months, no laughter to be heard. Jimmy was always limping and injured.

Ren was so bright, so warm, he was the sun. And Martyn had such an adoration for the sun.

But Ren doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut. His talk of escape made him a threat, and the Watchers hadn't decided how they would torment him yet. But now they felt pressured to decide fast.

First Ren was drugged. Drugged until his brain was mushy and malleable. And then the Watchers decided it would be amusing to make their new dog hybrid believe he was a real dog. Make him bark, teach him tricks, have him eat from a bowl.

Maybe someone would find their new puppy entertaining enough to rent, but if not, Ren would still be useful. Ren would be an example. This is what happens to subjects who try to escape. Your thoughts melt, you are reduced to a play-thing, an animal.

No one has spoken of escape in a long time.

Not where the Watchers can hear at least.

Ren gets his own play space, his own food, and a room away from the others. Puppies don't sleep in human beds, and they certainly don't eat human food. But the other subjects can visit him.

Martyn is there. Martyn is always there. He tries to break the conditioning, he tries again and again to get Ren to answer him. But Ren's only response is to beg for pets.

Martyn despairs.

But the world keeps going, and Martyn still has to work. He gets rented often, and it's an easy distraction for him. Don't think about Ren. Don't think about the sun. You know your despair only fuels those Watchers.

Martyn is rented for many things, but mostly parties. He's a skilled bartender, multitalented in tricks and shows. He's one of the few subjects who is allowed multiple outfits, most of them too skimpy for his taste. Sometimes he's rented as a waiter, a dancer, or an escort. Once he was rented for a children's birthday party.

Sometimes he is rented by a masked man who calls himself a Listener. He makes Martyn promise not to tell the Watchers about who he is, and then tells Martyn various bits of information. Sometimes it's the lab layout (to help in an escape attempt) or sometimes they give him medicine to reverse the effects of the drugs some of the other subjects are on. Depends on the day. The Listener doesn't rent often.

And Ren has a few renters too, but much less frequent than Martyn. People are curious. Most of Ren's renters currently are repeat renters, who want to see him again. It's not a bad life for him. Simple, comfortable, lots of attention.

It's not like he can think straight enough to be bothered by it anyway.

He can only think well enough to remember Martyn, the one who always visits him and pets him. He misses Martyn's often.

So... Yes. There is something between them. It's complicated.

I'll probably expand on this more later...

[twisted-dreamscape]

Twisted Wonderland: ADeuce love triangle

The way you met was unfortunate to put it lightly, and to say it was a trick of fate would be a bold-faced lie, but that never stopped him before.

Ace Trappola was a menace; to the school, to his dorm and to his friends, but it wasn’t until today that he seriously sat down to think about it. Because today, he was considering confessing to his best friend, not Tweedle Dee or Tweedle Dumbass, but the Prefect, or as he called you when you were new, ‘Grim’s Useless Janitor Friend,’—he was screwed.

And yet he couldn’t bring himself to do away with the possibility of your unlikely friendship becoming something more. Being with you was…fun, in a way that promised much more if it was just you two. At first, he ignored the feeling, hanging out in your little group of first years. He’d quip, Grim would sneer, Deuce would jeer and you’d laugh. Oh, but how you’d laugh always drowned out everything else. When your party grew, nothing really changed. There were the others, and they were fun! In fact, they seemed more fun without you! It was like he could breathe again, as opposed to flinching when you inevitably became the center of attention; back then he wondered if he even considered you a friend. Everything else seemed to fall away when you were near, but still, it was so much more fun with you. Those days when everyone else was held up in club activities, or with dorm work or homework, and it was just you. Those days when a study session with Deuce and Grim nodded off into a study session for two, and those days when you chose him as your partner or teammate, for whatever reason. Homework was a breeze, studying became compelling and movie nights were a delight. Everyday was the most remarkable and forgettable all at the same time—all he could call to mind was your smile, and whatever made you smile. The days when through some happenstance it was just you and him were the most special to him, and he was finally tired of waiting for happenstance.

Classes had ended for the day, but he could barely recall what went on in them. Today Ace would confess. In hand, he had those treats you liked, a bribe for affection as well as a tool for evasion should you reject him. In fact, the possibility of rejection weighed heavily on his mind, you knew everything about him and even he had the wherewithal to admit some of that everything was less than flattering in a romantic partner, but the fact that you still kept him close—even as a friend—gave him hope, as if between you there was nothing to hide. Alas, such things were embarrassing in their own way, so he was prepared to shove the treat in your mouth and play the whole thing off as a joke. You were in sight and by all means, he was ready.

…Until Deuce raced out in front of him and grabbed your hands!

“Prefect, I need to talk to you about something seriously important! Right now! Please!”

”Uh, sure.”

”Great! Let’s go!” He gently, but firmly pulled you along, moving his other hand to your back.

Past Main Street, past the Mystery shop and past the Hall of Mirrors. It wasn’t until you passed in front of the botanical garden and entered the field near Ramshackle Dorm that he finally noticed he was still holding your hand, he jumped back, dropping it. Not far behind was an increasingly peeved Ace.

First he had to watch Deuce grope your hand the whole way to the back of YOUR dorm, but somehow him nervously dropping it made things worse! ‘Like, what is he? 4? Holding your hand doesn’t mean anything! You letting him hold you doesn’t mean anything!’

As Ace carefully drew closer, Deuce and you stood apart in dead silence, almost like you were waiting for him to get in earshot. Finally, Deuce was able to wrench the words out of mouth.

“Prefect! No, Y/N!”

“Yes?”

“I…You, you’re amazing!” He clenched his fists as though preparing for a fight, “Since the moment we met you’ve always seemed to know what to do. It’s like nothing ever fazes you. You're one of the highest ranked students in our year, the teachers all seem to rely on you and even Housewarden Riddle trusts you ! You’re the definition of an honour student.”

Ace slowly relaxed, ‘Oh, he called you out here to fangirl? That’s fine…’ But something still felt off, and you felt it too.

You remained silent as Deuce took another deep breath, “I wanted to be like you. You made it seem effortless, natural. It felt like I was doing everything wrong. Like I had no business trying.” He averted his gaze for just a second, and you were already reaching out to him, but he bounced back, “Then I saw how much effort you put into everything you do. Some nights the lights in your dorm are on till well in the morning, Jack said you practically live in the library, you sometimes take on work at the Monstro Lounge despite everything! And still you take the time to help us out whenever we need it.You’re not from this world, but you don’t even let that stop you. You’re so smart and kind and really pretty,” the slight blush that was creeping up his neck now completely enveloped his face, for whatever reason Ace’s legs were as stiff as Deuce’s were shaky, “that is to say, I love you!”

‘What. The. Hell!’

Ace nearly screamed his thoughts, meanwhile yours stopped at ‘What’ while fighting to catch up with how Deuce buttering you up turned into an ardent confession. Ace on the other hand…

‘What kind of low grade, slice of life, romcom confession was that!? Love you? He can’t love you! You're both just a couple bunch of dumb teens! What the heck was he saying?’ Like you his brain was fighting to catch up with the proclamation, it was only when you spoke up that he snapped out of it.

“Deuce…” one of your best friends, ally in mischief and cohort in honour. All these connections seemed to dry your tongue, but you owed him a response because of that, “Love…is a strong choice of words. I know you care for me, I could never doubt that from you, we’re friends after all,” he flinched at the word, “you’ve been a great support, and I don’t think you give yourself enough credit for how you’ve helped me and others. You’re one of the people I trust the most in this world and mine, but love means something more. It suggests things, it promises a future that’s more uncertain than anything we’ve ever considered.” You struggle to look him in the eye.

And Ace finds himself nodding in agreement, if not a little bitterly. It was difficult to accept, but he knew exactly what you were both talking about, after all, you’re not even from this world—and there was no guarantee of how long you’d stay here. It was enough to pour cold water on his own passions, but he’d already come to terms with that possibility. Of course, it was heavily influenced by your departure not being guaranteed, but he knew and was prepared to accept your decision when it came to it. But even so, ‘I love you’ is a bit much for a high school confession. He couldn’t help but think that even that Dunderhead Deuce would get it now—

“I promise!” He didn’t miss a beat, “I know it sounds rash, and I know that I’m not thinking it all the way through, but everyday it feels like you could disappear right before my very eyes and it hurts!”

“Deuce.”

He took your hands in his, “I know we’re still students and a lot more’s gonna happen, but thinking everything through isn’t my strong suit, it’s yours, and I trust you and any future with you. So even if you deny it, I’ll still love you! Will you love me too?” His face was as red as his vest, but he didn’t back down, he just peered into your eyes.

You opened your mouth, but the words didn’t come. ‘What-if’ scenarios flood your mind, but none lead to any concrete answers. You had already decided you would go home should the chance arise. You had never been in a relationship before, it was uncharted territory that you had seen end in heartbreak. He’s one on your only safe allies in this world, what if he stops loving you? Questions and possibilities clouded the decision with maybe, his eyes remained as clear as the blue sky.

Your silence was torture, ‘Just reject him already,’ it wasn’t a certainty, but that made it all the worse. In Ace’s mind Deuce had as good of a shot as him, if not better—if that 3-word sentence didn’t knock it down a touch. You were friends too, even if he refused to acknowledged it. Still…even without considering the fact that he picked on you when you first met, while Deuce helped you; since then, what had he done besides actively add to your problems and leave you with the cleanup? That was it. He had to step in before—

“You’re right, it is rash,” Ace stepped back behind his cover, fist pumping silently, “You declare your feelings one-sidedly and then leave me to do the thinking!” Deuce lowered his head at your scolding. At this point, Ace almost felt bad for the guy—almost. “Do you even understand how fragile a relationship like that between us would be? You’re right, I could disappear anytime! Either as mysteriously as I appeared or owing to some eventual solution.” Both boys winced at this, even you bit back a cry, “In your proposed future, I wouldn’t just be losing all the friends I’ve made, but my boyfriend as well!” This time, you couldn’t silence the woeful crack in your voice, prompting the blue haired boy to pull you into his arms.

“Y/N, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to—“

But you shook off his arms as easily as flipping over a hedgehog, “If you want to make that kind of promise, I NEED YOU TO UNDERSTAND just how thin the thread that’s holding it is!” You gave him a moment, and to Ace, it felt like he was given one too, “And if you do…would you let me try to love you too?”

“Buh?”

‘Wha?’

“You called me cautious, but I’m scared,” you pressed your face into his chest, “I plan because I’m too scared to be rash. But you always act based on how you feel and when I see you just going full throttle, I can’t help but want to be like you…and just like you…a lot, but I’m still terrified of liking you more, so will wait for me? Will you let me just say ‘I like you’?”

“Oh, O-of course! I lo—like you too! I really like you!”

“Then I’d be happy to be yours. I really like you too.” You took his hand in yours and you both left the clearing.

Ace didn’t know how long it had been since you two went off to do who-knows-what—but it was almost curfew. Did he even have a chance with you? Ace pushed off the tree he had been leaning on. He felt tired, but he didn’t want to head back to the dorm, after all, he would probably be there. But he couldn’t go to Ramshackle…he wasn’t ready—and he had know idea when he would be. He liked your smile, but today he just couldn’t stand to see it.

[abyssalaerlocke]

Raphael as an Archfey instead of a Devilish Archduke

The feywild might be more chaotic than Hell, but fey have their own laws — both how things should be done (ie. Rules of Hospitality) and how the world works — with their own hierarchies.

He'd probably be part of the Unseelie Court, unpredictable, sharp, with a hot temper you don't want to get on the wrong side of. A dangerous force of nature.

When you see this weird copy lingering around, you question if they're twins, some strange shapeshifter creature, or your eyes are playing tricks on you.

In reality, Haarlep is probably just a horny satyr, and Raphael was flattered when Haarlep asked for his likeness, until he realised he wasn't talking about a painting or statue.

At least he's not stupid enough to give away his own name — names have power, so Raphael and Haarlep are both pseudonyms.

He keeps Haarlep by his side, so someone with his face doesn't go around misusing it, and forms devious agreements and pacts with the unwary (or sometimes the wary, figuring out how he can word a consequence past their keen mind is a fun challenge).

Kiiinda thinking about him as a verdant prince, so here's some highlights from their entry:

Verdant princes lend aid to those in need and grant the desires of the greedy, but those who strike a bargain with the fey understand too late what they've given up in exchange.

Verdant princes are evil and cruel, and they enjoy entrapping victims in supernatural oaths that seem beneficial but are not.

A verdant prince can make an oath bond with only one creature at a time.

[bla bla bla magic consequences (debilitating sickness) for breaking it, constant awareness of the breaker's location]

They often use disguise self to appear less threatening

Dryads or nymphs who mate with verdant princes, or who are themselves evil, sometimes give birth to verdant princes. [...] Powerful and convinced of their superiority, verdant princes care little for their mothers and typically despise their fathers

Verdant princes are born mischievous; their cruel streak increases as they mature over the course of a season. By maturity, nearly all become evil, but a few might be more lawful or chaotic than others. [...] winter princes cleave rigidly to their words

Verdant princes are leaders of evil fey and plant creatures. Those that reside long in a verdant prince's realm often become evil over time as they repeatedly acquiesce to their lord's will and participate in its plots.

A verdant prince lives to fulfill its selfish desires [...] and takes whatever it desires. Although frequently cruel and imperious to individuals, a verdant prince makes an effort to appear magnanimous and forgiving to its subjects at large.

This fey delights in tricking a creature into an oath bond that leads to anguish and despair. The verdant prince takes care to fulfill its end of the bargain while requesting something that seems innocuous but will cause strife.

Super interesting if his mother was an evil dryad/nymph instead of a human, and so instead of a cambion, Mephistopheles (still an archdevil) gets a verdant prince for a son.

I could be remembering wrong, maybe it's my own headcanon, but I think satyrs (all male) breed with nymphs/etc. (all female). Depending on your preference, Haarlep could be related, maybe even fraternal twins with different fathers, or — if Mephistopheles is a satyr — identical twins, with the mother's evilness only manifesting into the power and form of a verdant prince in one.

Alternatively, maybe Raphael has a general kinship with satyrs, which he doesn't like

…Or Haarlep is just a changeling and his likeness is nothing personal. (Or he's still an incubus, and Mephistopheles wants an infernal heir, and sent him to capture Raphael's likeness to impersonate him in Mephistopheles' court, something like this)

Verdant princes have druidic aspects, and are protective of the nature on their land, so there could be interesting new dynamics between Raphael and Halsin

[everettswritings]

Hey. Lee!Candy Apple Cookie and Ler!Shadow Milk Cookie. The 4th Anniversary duo!

Yes! I love them, they’re such a silly father-daughter combo. I need more of them. (Kink/NSFW accounts DNI!)

In the Spire of Deceit, through the bending corridors and the stairs facing all kinds of directions, there was a room featuring a gigantic statue of Shadow Milk Cookie in a pool of pure white milk. Even more of it dripped from the ceiling, sending little ripples bouncing through the pool. With how shiny the milk looked, it seemed ethereal in a way. All was quiet as Shadow Milk Cookie stood at the edge of the pool, deep in thought as he stared at his reflection- he was concocting another scheme, one that would need more care put into it. He then felt another presence entering the chamber.

“You can’t sneak up on me, you know!” He called, not even looking to see Candy Apple Cookie behind him, she giggled excitedly. “You always know what I’m up to! You’re truly the master of all deceit!” She skipped up to her master’s side, gleefully swaying from the left to the right as she watched him think. Shadow Milk Cookie rolled his eyes, “I can’t focus when you’re all squirmy, kid. Go… I dunno, play with dolls. Whatever the children are up to these days!”, Candy Apple Cookie started laughing again “You’re so funny, Shadow Milk Cookie!”. He appreciated the compliment, but he wasn’t even trying to be funny this time. The jester crossed his arms, now he had to think while having adoring eyes on him- not to mention the occasional giggle that came from her or excited feet tapping on the stone floor. You know, you never really understand how loud someone truly is until you take them somewhere quiet!

Even though it was humorous, Shadow Milk Cookie was growing a little tired of it. He didn’t have a mission to send her on just yet, there really wasn’t much to do around the spire itself, so what could he occupy her with? Great, now he was being distracted from his initial plan even more! However, when Candy Apple Cookie giggled quietly again, it gave the Beast an idea.

“Candy Apple Cookie, my dear, do you mind standing in front of me real quick? Please?” He asked, playing up the politeness, to which she immediately got up in front of him. She was so quick to listen! “Perfect! Now sit still and-“ He didn’t even finish his sentence, he started tickling his loyal servant mercilessly, roughly scribbling all over her sides. She started to bounce and squirm like she was hopped up on sugar, “Kyahahahaha! Hahahahaha! Hahahahaha! I should’ve known!” She squealed and fell onto Shadow Milk Cookie, who lowered himself and her down to the floor. “Yeah, you should’ve!” He teased “You should know all the tricks up my sleeve by now!” He continued tickling her, now making little beeping sounds as he started giving little pinches all around her sides. Candy Apple Cookie had hearts in her eyes and her pale cheeks were bright pink, the little scamp was enjoying this! No matter, when it comes to tickling, it’s more fun when everyone’s enjoying it.

“Hahahahahaha! Hahahaha! Kyahahahaha!” She snorted as she continued laughing, not even trying to protest or break free. “Was that a little oink I just heard?” Shadow Milk Cookie grinned, poking at her to make her snort again, “That was a little oink! Oink, oink, oink!” He kept poking to make her do it again and again. He then started to pinch at her knees, making her kick like a wild horse, all while humming the cancan. Candy Apple Cookie was just laughing and laughing! It seemed like she was barely making any stops to breathe. The beast snickered to himself, thoroughly enjoying this little predicament. He then took his hands off and leaned down, he took a deep breath and blew the biggest raspberry all over her tummy that he could muster! The sound was loud, it echoed through the chamber, and so did Candy Apple Cookie’s giggling. “KYAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!” She wheezed “HAHAHAHAHAHA! HAHAHAHAHA!” Her face was now as red as the apples in her hair, but soon it looked like it would turn blue.

Shadow Milk Cookie let her go, still smiling from ear to ear, “Had enough?” He asked and Candy Apple Cookie shook her head “Never! Come on, I need more tickles!” She gave him puppy eyes. “Tsk, tsk, tsk. Maybe later, kid, I think you need to breathe.” He shook his head, she pouted, “Please? That was so much fun!”. This was something new; normally the poor cookies that were at his fingertips would beg for mercy, beg for no more! Ah, well, he may as well take advantage of an excited lee. “Fine, fine!” He chuckled “The tickle monster’s gonna give you another visit… starting now!” His hands darted for her tummy, making the little cookie squeal and immediately start giggling again. The beast stole a quick glance at their reflection in the pool, he could’ve sworn that he saw his old self and another cookie from long ago, but he shrugged it off and focused on making Candy Apple Cookie laugh. And laugh she did, for hours on end that day.

End of fic! Thanks for reading. I don’t have much to say or ramble about, I just love these little sillies. These absolute goobers. Have a good one 🫶

[skelekins]

>3<

Seabunny!Kelek spying on land!Snaps from the water after he sees him one day. Just thinks he's really neat. Does his best to stay hidden b/c he's a silly mer creature, but he's not the fastest. I imagine Snaps is p tuned into his environment, especially when scouting, so I doubt he's unaware of his little water shadow for long at all. Maybe doesn't know /what/ it is, but its not actually bothering him so whatever.

Seabun is just completely enamored. So he does what silly mer people do and finds a v pretty opalized wood or fossil. Probably super nervous b/c he's not sure he can hide fast enough. But he waits till Snaps is around again before he sneaks up and then.

Splsh. Plat.

Snaps most likely sees his goofy tail and maybe even his bright pink booty gills whoosh behind a rock formation. Moments later Seabun peaks out from a different spot in the formation to watch what he does.

----

Snaps belongs to @didderd

[fujii-draws]

OKAY! Chatot rant in tags below! Read at your own discretion.

[butwhatifidothis]

Still baffled that Hopes so blatantly wrote Claude as the typical Evil Vaguely Middle Eastern Man set on destroying the Good White Nation for his Evil Vaguely Middle Eastern Nation that is often seen in fantasy settings - complete with him being seen as worse than a white woman who does many of the same evil deeds he does in-verse, even by his friends (should it be the bad ending route of SB) - and so many in the fandom were so eager to gobble that shit up. INSIST that "Clearly A Racist Stereotype" is LEAGUES better than "Subversion Of A Racist Stereotype" even. Like I don't think I'll ever get over how supremely fucked that is

[impossiblepluto]

@appalachianapologies I am yelling. The second time he lives the worst day of his life it feels like a weird dream. A weird, awful nightmare. Mac sees his death, Jack has always dreamt about his so this is some sort of dream. His brain playing tricks on him. A head injury. After affects of DMT or could he have been captured and dosed with another drug. Or maybe when Matty informed him of Jack's death he couldn't handle it and completely snapped. Time loops can't happen. And yet it is.

Bozer is the first person he tells of his suspicions which sort of feels like cheating. Of course Bozer is going to believe him, believe this. One summer he and Bozer watched way too many time loop movies and Bozer was convinced they needed a secret code that they would only say if they ever found themselves in a time loop.

It's not disbelief in Riley's eyes when he finally tells her, but it is concern. Once she believes, she is all in, working furiously and they come so close to breaking the loop. Close enough that they try again. And again. And again. Watching Riley come that close and still fail is tearing Mac up. And Riley sees it in his eyes, he's not going to tell her again. She's yelling at him, begging him to let her try again, to tell her the truth tomorrow, knowing that he's not going to and there's nothing she can do to stop him.

I think he should get to tell everyone once, as a treat but I'm not sure how Desi, Matty, or Russ would react. I think he calls Cage once to ask what she knows about dreams, memories, mind altering drugs, deja vu.

@quincymorris yeah yeah yeah! I need a happy ending. I need a reunification and this is the perfect way to do it. Mac has to accept that he cannot change the outcome and ough the day he wakes up and knows the loop is broken is the worst in a long string of bad days.

After carefully avoiding most of season 4-5 for years, I'm going to have to watch these episodes, aren't I? Gotta isolate Mac. Let him think he really failed. Forced to acknowledge that he can't save everyone, which I think deep down he knows, but he's been very very lucky until this point.

I love the idea of Mac going to check out the scene himself. Maybe we can have a little buried alive action for Jack

Okay okay okay but Mac being like "time loop can't restart if I don't go to sleep" and he'll have more time to work through the problem and examine the data. Then something happens to force him to reset (a seizure perhaps?) despite his best efforts. But there are also days that once he's failed he might as well go to bed now why suffer through the rest of the day and the grief.

Oh and a day after he's been looping for a while where he refuses to get out of bed. Why bother today will go the same way whether he tries or not and he's exhausted. He doesn't want to try anymore.

And then once it's over and the loop is broken he's just very quietly so as not to let anyone know refusing to go to bed until after midnight to prove that the time loop is really over. He doesn't sleep well. He jerks awake, gasping for breath fumbling for his phone (and freaking out when he drops it and it slides under the bed)

Also what if he has some injuries of his own, and they don't carry on into the next loop but he gets phantom pains from previous injuries. Maybe he still feels those pains after the loop is broken too

i continue to live through my own "groundhog day" moment as I once again have not finished the time loop fic that I swear I'll have finished for next year

[martyrbat]

enough — batman secret files (2018) #1

(ID below cut!)

[ID: A short story titled Enough. It centers around Bruce Wayne being alone at a little cabin out in the middle of some woods on top of a snow-capped mountain. Bruce internally narrates throughout the entire story. The barren cabin is lonesome amongst the pristine, white snow as Bruce enters the cold, muted building. Inside there's several books, oil lamps, a stone fireplace, and candles on basic, open faced wooden furniture – indicating that the house has no electricity. The cabin is one story and has an open floorplan with a single upstairs bedroom, which has only a ladder leading up to the small loft. There's a chest underneath a window and Bruce sits on the old, yellow couch in front of the blazing fireplace.

He thinks to himself, ‘There're rumors that somewhere, in Gotham's most beautiful, snow-topped mountains, a monster is running around. I have a suspicion Man-Bat is behind the strange activity. Mountain climbers losing their camps, ski resorts with missing guests, a strange beast being seen in the dark... Something covered in hair, something remarkably large.’ He takes his parka off and sets down his large duffle bag to slowly unpack it — revealing a thermos and a bow with several large, pointed arrowheads. He pulls out his Batman gear — which includes an insulated suit that's lined with fur, his belt, and a protective face mask that reflects his eyes in the red-tinted visor. He forlornly admits, ‘I can handle large, but what I can't handle… Is how damn lonely it is up here. Alfred says I could use some alone time. Truth is, I'm not such a fan of myself.’

Outside in his costume and cape, Bruce is tracking through the icy woods and the thick, rising snow. He's armed with his bow and arrows as he narrates, ‘To avoid detection by what I assume is probably Man-Bat, I'll try to capture him using only my hunting skills. I admit I'm a little rusty. The arrows I've brought are lethal to some, but they're just enough to incapacitate a beast of his size. It should be enough.. I hope it's enough.’ But the snowstorm rages on, forcing Bruce back inside the cabin since he believes it's not worth the risk of freezing to death if he stays out. He now lays in the upstairs loft's bed. The oil lamps on the wooden bedstand is unlit, causing the bright snow through the window to be the only thing that casts any light in the dark room. It reveals a framed photo of a picturesque landscape hanging over Bruce's head on the wall. In it, there's a peaceful lake and tall, luxuriant green trees.

Bruce solemnly stares up at the ceiling and thinks, ‘I find myself focusing closely on all the sounds of the forest, trying to learn the rhythm.’ The snow whirls on… A branch cracks… The cabin itself creaks and groans — causing Bruce to sit upright with a jolt! He squints out the window in an futile attempt to actually see something out there. He cerebrates, ‘Three nights and only the sounds of falling snow and branches. I've tracked nothing larger than a doe, there's been no news of an attack or sighting, maybe he's left the mountains… or maybe he's just hiding.’ Bruce lays back down, this time with his back to the window. He keeps an eye open — waiting and nearly hoping for any sign of life other than his own in the desolate, icy land.

We're shown Bruce outside again as he fights against the harsh wind to get back inside the cabin after another unsuccessful search for Man-Bat. He rubs his face tiredly while hunched over a small oil lamp as the stovetop coffee brews. He reflects, ‘Six nights alone, darkness lasts longer than the day and again the storm pushes me back indoors. This is beginning to feel useless. I'm really quite over myself. Maybe I'll call Alfred and ask him to—’ But his self-deprecation is cut short by a sudden thump! Then another loud crack! Again and again, coming closer and closer to him!

Bruce sets down the coffee as his mind rapid fires the possibilities of the quickly approaching, potentially dangerous loud noises! ‘Is it the branches in the wind? Or is it something else? Am I paranoid? I can't visualize what I'm hearing. There's no time to think about the cold now, I'm all alone up here. That sounds remarkably large.’ Bruce arms himself with his bow and arrow and hesitates outside the door as his paranoia continues, ‘I hope this is enough. A hunter knows its prey, but I'm realizing I have no idea what's on the other side of this door. Does it understand I'm on the other side? I am alone out here. No time to think.’ He flings the door open!

Geared in only his suit with no gloves or headgear, Bruce aims his bow blindly as he stands outside in the merciless elements. He tensely waits in the dark, thinking to the unseen threat, ‘I don't see you, but can you see me?’ There's another loud thump and crack. With one last hope that it's enough to tranquilize the potential attacker, Bruce fires the weapon.

The sharp arrow proves itself to be lethal as it pierces his unfortunate target. The threat — merely a lonesome, defenseless deer — falls dead in front of the horrified man. Bruce rushes forth and remorsefully buries the animal with the snow. He walks back to the cabin with the repeated, dejected confession: ‘Truth is, I'm not such a fan of myself.’

END ID]

[jrueships]

i think abt the fact that jaba literally has cute dimples, and nobody even knows or gives a fuck bcs the grumpy bitch never smiles, alot. all the time, actually. in my terrarium

[br1ghtestlight]

considering bob wasn't even allowed to play with TOYS as a kid i don't think his father would have let him go trick or treating so he probably only would have gone when he was very young. i also think they didn't celebrate holidays like christmas or easter growing up so he didn't have those childhood experiences and they always spent thanksgiving working at his father's diner so its important to bob that his kids get to celebrate holidays and do childhood things that he never did :) also why he makes a big deal about spending thanksgiving with family instead of working or being apart from each other